Saturday, 26 July 2014

Whispers of Spring.....Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Part A

The opening ceremony of the Palampur Spring Festival
turned out to be a stupendous success. The invitees went back home singing paeans
about the hospitality, the arrangements, and the novelty of the thought that
brought together the community within a circle of festive bonding and cultural
amalgamation, even if for a short period. The vibrant colors, the sounds, the
smiles, the smells, the music, the chatter, the picturesque landscaping all came
together to create a symphony of melodious choral resonance, as if the fair Earth
herself spread her arms and rejoiced in the gloriousness of the spirit of love,
celebrating the rapture of life. The mayor, Mrs Sneha Gujral, a litterateur by
profession, who did the honors of declaring the festival open, summed up the essence
of the festival by quoting a couplet by Shelley…

And Spring arose on the
garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

The entire conglomeration of guests, dignitaries,
and the vast sea of crowd that had gathered on that golden sunny morning broke
into loud cheers when Mrs Gujral announced impromptu the engagement of Raj and
Naina. Everyone knew Raj and were proud of the soldier prince who came back to
them, but it was Naina whose name the crowd chanted, making it clear how deeply
she had touched almost everyone’s lives and hearts in the small hill town in
her own unassuming giving way.

In the end, they both had to get up and wave to the
crowd, and when pressed upon to say a few words, Naina joined her hands and spoke,
“Thank you from the bottom of my very being. There are no words to express what
this town has given me. They say that no matter how long the winter, the spring
is sure to follow. But as far as I am concerned, I left the winter behind the
day I stepped on this land holding my beeji’s hand. Thereon, I have only basked
in warmth of this town…all because of you all and your unconditioned acceptance.
Yet, I confess, I was insecure of this happiness until some weeks back; that’s
when Colonel Rajveer Rathore came into my life and I truly started listening to
the whispers of spring and believing in its beauty.” She looked at Raj then,
and reached down to hold his hand with a smile, “This special man gave me the
greatest gift of all…Gift of belief. He made me believe in myself and got me
reacquainted with the Naina I thought had got lost somewhere in the vagaries of
life. Thank you, Raj.” He looked at her with misty eyes and nodded. Naina
looked back at the audience, “Today, when we step onto another phase of our
life, we both along with our children need your blessings. This is a new beginning
for all of us in many ways. The Palampur Spring Festival is the beginning of
many spring festivals to follow. This festival is all about believing…believing
that behind the dark clouds of winter lies the rainbow of colors waiting to
burst through. This festival is all about celebration of those colors. So,
please come forward and celebrate life.”

As everyone rushed to congratulate them, Raj’s eyes
sought Naina over the multiple heads. She sensed his eyes and turned to him
with a beaming smile….her eyes sparkled and her dimples winked. Raj’s heart
tightened in his chest; he loved her so much. She was perfect. She truly owned
him, body and soul. Now he only waited for the day when she would become his
wife.

**************************************

Raj and Naina got married two days after the
festival ended in beeji’s home, during the auspicious twilight muhurat…a time of the day that was so valued
and special to Naina. All the rituals were conducted on beeji’s beautiful lawns
among the flowers she had so lovingly grown. As beeji looked at her beautiful
daughter—wearing an exquisite, deep red Rajasthani-style lehenga-choli embroidered with gold thread, pearls, and precious
stones—walking towards the flower-decked mandap
with her children, she realized that today she was going to give away the most
precious, the most exotic, and the most fragrant flower of them all. However,
she was at peace. In the past seven years, she had lived an entire lifetime of
motherhood. Flicking away an escaped tear, she took a deep breath. This was no
time to be sad; this was time to be happy for the daughter who touched her womb
as close as her own born would have done. Tomorrow she will go back to being
lonely in this big house. But today was all about celebration. Today was all
about love, laughter, and happiness.

Adi looked the epitome of a proud, regal prince in
his ensemble of golden and maroon sherwani
suit with matching turban. A small-sized sword, with a jeweled hilt, which was sheathed
within a diamond-encrusted, gold embroidered scabbard hung at his side at the
end of a shimmering cross belt….a gift from his Badima. He held his mother’s
hand gently, in a gallant manner, just as his papa had taught him; and on the
other side, Tanu walked gripping her mother’s hand tightly, smiling softly, and
holding up her lehenga with the other
hand, just as her mumma had guided her to do. The color and tone of the little princesses’
lehenga-choli matched that of her
brother’s.

As if on cue, they both looked toward their father,
who stood nearly twenty meters away outside the mandap, flanked by his nanisa
and beeji, hands clasped behind his back hiding the deliciously nervous tremor.
Kundan stood just behind him along with Harsh and Nandini, Ranima’s son’s
children, who had flown down for the all-important day of their Raj bhaiya even
though they were in the middle of their final exams. His parents stood a little
away, more as an audience than as participants. The rest of the guests included
Raj’s close friends, Naina’s school staff, and the Asha complex crowd who had stayed behind for the wedding.

Naina’s breath hitched as she glanced up and saw Raj.
He looked dashing and breathtakingly handsome in his ceremonial army uniform,
with his princely sword strapped to his side. His expression held pride and
love as he watched his family walk to him. His heart thrummed against his chest
at the sight of Naina’s ravishing beauty. The heat in his gaze enveloped her in
a warm caress of belonging….Of homecoming. Seeing the blatant desire in his
eyes for her, a shadow swept across her countenance before she quickly masked
it and smiled at him. But the little flicker of fear didn’t escape Raj. He
queried her with his eyes. She shook her head marginally and assured him.

Raj stepped forward and held out his hand. Adi
stretched his arm and placed his mother’s hand on his. Raj cupped Adi’s face
and said, “Thank you, son. Thank you for trusting me with your ma’s hand. I
promise I shall always love, honor, and cherish her.” Adi smiled a grown-up
smile and walked gingerly upto Tanu, taking her away to stand beside his uncles
and aunt.

Raj and Naina took their elder’s blessings before
going inside the mandap. As beeji
blessed them, Raj took hold of her hand, “Beeji, before I wed your daughter, I
want something from you. Will you give me?”

“Anything, Raj. Whatever this old woman has belongs
to both of you. What do you want?”

“Your promise. No buts….No ifs.”

Beeji frowned and then smiled, “You have it. Now,
say what you want.”

“Beeji, Naina and I want you to come and live with
us in the Rawin Mahal.”

“Bu…” She stopped as Raj kept a finger on her mouth.

“You promised.”

“That’s not fair Raj,” her voice quivered with emotion.
“How can I stay in my daughter’s marital home? And, what about this house?”

“Beeji, look back to those years when you were an
integral part of the mahal. It was
you who made that palace into a home. We just want you to return back to your
home and continue being part of our family. I need you. Naina needs you. Our
children need you. Please beeji.”

Beeji stared at Raj, then at Naina’s glistening,
hopeful eyes, and finally nodded, “OK. If you both want this so much.”

Naina was so relieved. She stepped up and hugged
her, “Thanks beeji. You gave me the happiest gift of this day by saying Yes.”

“But Naina…this house?”

Raj spoke up, “It’s for you to decide beeji.
Personally, I found Naina’s suggestion quite appealing.”

Beeji looked at Naina, who said, “Beeji, we can turn
our house into a Holiday Home for the Asha
complex inmates. They can come here in batches and enjoy mini-vacations. Your
gardens and lawns will be maintained in the manner you want. You will be
in-charge of all the decisions regarding the house.”

Beeji didn’t have to give it a second thought. She
immediately gave her consent.

After that things were a hazy blur for Naina. She
couldn’t hold back a few tears from rolling down when beeji did her kanyadaan. Not a moment passed when she
didn’t wish her parents and Milli to be there. Through all the rituals, she
only felt Raj’s warm hand holding hers and not letting go. He gave her the
strength to go on whenever the past images of a similar ceremony tried to
juxtapose in her present. The shadows were out there, lurking, trying to break
into the strong cordon of Raj’s love and the promise of a beautiful future. And
when in the middle of the pheras, she
felt overwhelmed with an unknown fear that left her tremulous, Raj paused,
turned around, and hugged her tightly…all the time whispering in her ears, till
she stopped trembling and mumbled against his neck, “Thanks love. I needed
this. I’ll be fine now. We can carry on.”

He shifted to look into her eyes and whispered,
“Trust me?”

“With all of me,” she whispered back.

“I love you.”

“I love you more. Now, are you marrying me or not?”

“Blasting cannons won’t drag me away Mrs Rathore.”

“Not there yet Colonel.” Her lips lifted.

“For me it was the day I laid eyes on you.”

Suddenly they were aware of a collective throat
clearing and then the sound of muted laughter around them. Kundan came up and
whispered, “Err…bhaiya and bhabhi. Just wanted to know…Are you planning to
begin your honeymoon here only?”

“Kundan! Don’t be a smartass.”

“Sorry bhaiya. Just making sure. I am in charge of
the kids, you see…need to get them away before…you…umm…you know what I mean?”

Beeji walked up and shooed Kundan away and turned to
her daughter, “Naina, are you OK child?”

“I am now beeji. Sorry about this.”

“It’s alright beta. We understand.” She ran a hand
over Naina’s head, “Each and every person out there loves you and respects you
for who you are. Don’t you ever forget that. Okay?”

Naina nodded with a teary smile. Beeji stepped back,
“Now, go…Finish the beginning of your forever. Your knight here has a few
surprises planned for you.”

Raj sure had a few surprises packed for Naina. After
the wedding ceremony and the small get-together-cum-reception that followed,
Raj was going to whisk Naina away for a pre-planned wedding night in the cabin
of the mountain estate he had bought for her. Raj’s family, cousins, and Ranisa
were to go back to Rawin Mahal for the night. Ranisa was personally taking care
of the grihapravesh ceremony of her
granddaughter-in-law, which was scheduled for the next day. Beeji would stay behind
with Adi, Tanu, and Nancy. Raj and Naina were going to first go back to beeji’s
house the next morning, and then proceed to Rawin Mahal after a formal bidaai ceremony.

Naina had no clue about anything. She had asked
beeji and Kundan about the wedding-after plans when Raj refused to let her in,
but they had also clammed up, having been sworn to secrecy by Raj. He wanted
everything to be a surprise for her. There was going to be a wedding reception
next day on the mahal lawns, to be attended by each and everyone who touched
Raj and Naina’s lives along with all the acquaintances of Ranisa and beeji. A
large retinue of guests were due to arrive from Devisar before the grihapravesh ceremony, bearing gifts for
the new bride and her family. Raj’s father had graciously given in to all of
Raj’s wishes, but he was not ready to compromise on some of the important
rituals, which he as the bridegroom’s father was entitled to perform. The day
after the reception, Raj was going to take Naina and the kids to Nainital, a
three-day trip planned essentially for Naina, so that she could reconnect with
her past and weave it into her present…so that she could be one with the
animated memories of her childhood and adolescence…so that she felt closer to
her parents and Mili in the land of her birth. From there, the four of them
were going to fly to Europe for a month-long vacation. Raj wanted to take Naina
to all the castles that she wanted to see ever since her childhood.

***********************************************

Part B

“This is a beautiful surprise Raj? I never would
have imagined you would bring me here tonight.”

Raj switched off the car and turned to his wife. He
ran his knuckles down her face, lowered his head to capture her lips, and then
proceeded to kiss her senseless. Shivering with the onslaught of sensations, her
arms crawled up to circle his neck, her fingers digging in his hair. Her lips
yielded against the pressure of his, permitting his tongue to slide into her
mouth, exploring her, devouring her, ravishing her. She kissed him back, her
body coming alive even as a whimper of pleasure escaped her throat that almost
shut down Raj’s mind, wanting him to make love to her there and then. But then
reason sneaked in. Unwillingly, and with an obviously painful reluctance, he
drew back.

Tucking away a lock of hair that had come loose, he
whispered huskily, “I have been aching to do that the whole day. Every time I
looked at you, I wanted everyone to disappear for a while so that I could have
you in my arms and kiss you.”

“You got me now darling. I am all yours. So, what
next?”

“Now, I get to carry my wife over the threshold of
her cabin in her mountain.”

“Sounds like a good plan. What are you waiting for?”

Raj got out of the car and walked to the other side.
He opened Naina’s door, bent down, slipped a hand beneath her knees, and picked
her up. Naina’s arms went around his neck. He couldn’t help kissing her again,
her lips soft and pliant beneath his, “So sweet. Sweeter than honey. I am
addicted to your lips, Mrs Rathore.”

She loved to hear him call her that, “You taste good
too, Colonel Rathore.”

“Ready?”

“Mmm!!”

“Let’s begin our forever.”

They turned to look at the cabin. A row of small
fire torches lined the narrow path to it. The cabin itself was awash with the
silvery glow of moonlight. They stepped inside to a soft romantic
ambiance…created by the warm glow from the fire blazing in the fireplace. A
thick rug with cushions scattered randomly on it was spread in front of the
fireplace. The only item of furniture in the room was a corner table with a
bottle of champagne, chocolates, fruits, and tidbits spread on it. Raj slowly
put Naina down, his eyes not once leaving her face, which was sparkling with
wonder and rapture.

Naina drank in the simplicity and sensuousness of
the décor. At the far end, an open door led to the bedroom. She could make out
the outlines of a large bed in the faint, silvery glow of the moonlight coming
through the windows. Raj felt her stiffen and coiling inward in his arms. His
response to her abrupt shift in mood was instantaneous. He rubbed her arms and the
turned her to cradle her face in his hands, “Naina, nothing will happen that
you are not ready for. We have a whole lifetime ahead of us sweetheart. We’ll
take it as it comes. Okay?” She nodded. He took her hand, “Come, let me show
you around. Then, you can change and relax.”

It was a dainty little log cabin. Just the right
size for a small family…two bedrooms with attached washrooms, a kitchenette, a
store, a shed behind to stock firewood. Naina loved it. Raj told her that
Kundan and Nancy had got it done up for tonight. She turned in his arms and narrowed
her eyes, scrunching her nose, “Do you think there’s something going on between
Kundan and Nancy?”

“They fight a lot…disagreeing on almost everything.”
Raj had put Kundan and Nancy in charge of the management of all the
wedding-related functions.

“We did too. In the beginning. Gosh, you were such a
grouch.”

“And you were such an adorable firecracker…Still
are.” And because he couldn’t help himself, he plundered her mouth with his,
sucking and nibbling and running his tongue through every crevasse and curve.
Finally, he let her up for air. When she looked up at him with luminous eyes glowing
with desire, her mouth plump and swollen with his kisses, her beauty shook him
to the core. He could spend hours kissing her and still not get enough.

They were standing at the entrance of the bedroom.
Raj gave her a nudge toward the closet, “Go. Get freshened up. I’ll see you in
a few minutes. We’ll talk. I have a surprise for you.” He kissed her on the
forehead and stepped outside, closing the door.

Naina stared at the door for innumerable seconds.
She knew exactly what Raj was thinking. If left to him, he would wait an
eternity for her…and that would be so utterly unfair to him. She needed to be
brave one more time…this time for Raj, for both of them, for their love.
Decision made, Naina opened the closet and gasped. One side held nightwear of
various designs and colors….lacy negligees, nighties, pajamas, a couple of
pristine, floral cotton long nighties…and some of the most exquisite
undergarments she had laid eyes on. She fingered through the satiny feel of the
clothes. On the hangers hung six sarees, to choose from for the bidaai the next day, as well as a couple
of churidaar suits. Naina shook her head. These were too many clothes for just
one night. What was Nancy thinking? Maybe she was just following orders.
Maybe…no, not maybe, definitely…She was definitely following the instructions from
the man on the other side of this door. Raj had to be behind this. It was as if
it had become his life’s mission to spoil her. God, she loved him.

********************************************

Raj poked at the fireplace, put in a couple of logs,
and looked over his shoulder at the closed bedroom door for the twentieth time.
What was taking her so long? He had taken a shower and changed into a pair of shorts
and t-shirt in the guest room. He poked again and wondered which churidaar-suit
she would be wearing. He hoped it would be the deep blue one. That color really
suited her. He knew she would not put on a nightwear, recalling how she had all
but frozen at the wedding and then at the sight of the bedroom. He needed to
take this as slow as possible. Time was what she needed…and he understood that.
Somehow, he had to learn to practice self-control…to control his body, which
heated up and seemed to have a mind of its own at the mere hint of her floral
scent. He looked at the door again and then throwing the poker on the hearth
strode toward the bedroom. She was definitely in some kind of trouble.

Raj knocked at the door softly, “Naina! Are you okay
sweetheart?”

Silence.

“Do you need anything?”

Silence.

“Naina?”

He was about to knock again when the door opened.
The sight of her almost knocked him off his feet. Blood rushed to his groin and
his head reeled.

In a sheer pink negligee, which ended above her
knees, Naina looked bewitching. He could make out the outline of a pair of lacy
underwear through the transparent fabric that accentuated the shape of her
curves.

Sexy.

Cute.

Innocent.

Gorgeous.

How could one woman be all that? Only his Naina. He
realized his mouth had gaped open as he ogled shamelessly. He closed his mouth
and looked at her. Naina blinked and bit her lower lip, fixing her gaze on the
V of his t-shirt. Red dots accentuated the spreading blush on her cheeks.

Slowly, he
brought his hand to her chin, tilted her face back so that she was looking
straight at him. Seeing his eyes go dark with desire, a bout of shyness hit
Naina and all bravado left her. She closed her eyes in consternation. She felt
Raj’s warm breath on her face as he leaned, “Look at me Naina.”

She couldn’t ignore the sensual command in his deep
voice and opened her eyes. As their gazes locked, Raj asked, “You sure
sweetheart?”

She nodded once, slowly…and then emphatically.

Raj spoke gently, “Naina, don’t think we have to do
anything that you feel you have to do because of me…that you don’t yet want.”

Naina was already shaking her head, “I want to Raj.
I want you.” She touched his face, her limpid eyes coaxing him to enter her
soul, “I want you so much. It’s just that…it…I..”

Raj bent and picked her up tenderly, loving the feel
of her soft curves against his hard muscles, and sat her on the edge of the
bed. He knelt in front of her and took her hands in his, “You can say anything
to me sweetheart. Tell me, what’s going on inside you?”

She was silent for a while, gathering her thoughts,
and then spoke softly, “Raj, I am not edgy because I don’t want to make love
with you. I know you will not do anything to hurt me…even stop if I ask you to.
I am just scared that…” She paused and bit her lower lip.

“Scared of what Naina?”

“Scared that I am so broken that I shall push you
away and then…” She looked at him fearfully, “What if I don’t ever satisfy
you?”

Raj put a finger on her lips, “Shshh! Firstly, you
are not broken. You never were. Those sick bastards were the broken lowlives.
You just did your best to stay afloat and survive, and stay whole. Secondly,
this is not about me. It’s about us. We’ll find a way…together. Okay?”

She nodded and then smiled, knocking the wind out of
her husband. Raj kissed her fingers and asked, “Are you really, really sure
about us making love tonight?”

“Yes Raj. I want to cross this bridge with
you…tonight. I want this night of loving with you and all the nights that
follow till the end of our lives.”

“Oh sweetheart! I love you so much. I am dying to make
love to you . We’ll go real slow. Okay? No pressure. I’ll stop the moment
I feel you switching off. In fact you take the lead and….” He stopped as she
looked at him with a frown. Raj mentally slapped his head. He needed to
remember that Naina was as innocent as any virgin on her wedding night in spite
of what happened to her. “What I mean is you tell me what pleases you. You tell
me what to do next. You…”

She shook her head, “No Raj. I won’t know. You must
understand that. I mean, even if I have, I have never…I mean…” She broke off
sadly, “I sound like a moron. I am sorry.”

“Don’t. I understand.” At that moment he wanted to
pull the Dhariwal men out of the hell, kill them again, and send them back to
where they belonged…in the Hell.

Naina tried again, “Raj, I love you. I trust you.
You are my strength. That’s why the very idea of failing you kills me. I feel
helpless. It’s like being in a black hole with no idea how to break out. You
have to guide me…although I do agree to the Go Slow point.”

Raj couldn’t stand her self-recrimination any
longer. He parted her legs and slipped closer to her. He caressed her face
reverentially, brushing his thumb over her lips. She blinked as the hot, sweet
puff of his breath fanned her face before his lips touched hers and moved to whisper,
“I promise after tonight you will only remember good times and the past will be
erased. I’ll make you feel things that you never would have imagined possible.”
With that promise, he parted her mouth, kissing her deeply, their tongues dancing
and mating so beautifully that Naina felt all chill leave her. Her entire body heated
up with that one kiss….a kiss that was different from any other they had shared
thus far. Hunger like nothing began to consume her and a groan escaped as she
tightened her grip around his shoulders. The more he kissed her and touched her,
the faster the darkness of her soul fled, filling it instead with bright, shiny
sparklers, until she felt herself quiver with rapture and wanting more.

Raj shivered with ecstasy as her breasts pressed
against his chest. “So beautiful, so sweet, “he murmured against her satin-soft
skin as he ran his mouth down her neck, ending with an open-mouthed kiss. Her
back arched and an amorous tremor ran through her as he raked across her
cleavage with the edges of his teeth and then licked away the sting with a hot
sweep of his tongue. His hands roamed her body sensually, freely, slowly,
lightly, yet with an intensity that was as profound as the growing connection
of their bodies. He took off his t-shirt in one sweep and lifted Naina’s hand
to keep on his heart.

Still kissing her, he arose, pulling her with him,
and then stumbled. “Damn,” he cursed softly against her neck.

“Raj, what happened?”

“Nothing love. You made me forget something for the
first time.”

“What?”

“That I am a one-legged man. Just turn your back for
a few minutes Naina and switch off that lamp. I’ll take this out in a jiffy.”

“No.”

“Naina.”

“Raj.”

“Please sweetheart. I don’t want you to see this
tonight of all nights.”

In response, Naina shoved him on the bed and knelt
before him, “Get one thing into your handsome head my darling. To me, you are
the most attractive man in this whole world…and nothing, absolutely nothing,
will lessen my belief.” She looked down and ran a hand down from his thigh to
the end of the prosthetic toe, “After your beautiful heart, this is my most
favorite part of your body.”

“Is that so? Well then, after tonight, I intend to
make it your third most favorite part.”

“What do you mean?” She frowned and then blushed to
the roots as she understood which part he was referring to, “You are
incorrigible. Now stop leering at my breasts and tell me what to do.”

Raj chuckled and then told her how to remove the
prosthetic. After it was done, Naina bent and kissed the stub. In a swift move,
Raj pulled her up such that she sat straddling him. He kissed her, sucked on her,
teased her, and devoured her till she squirmed and moaned, “Raj, please.”

“Tell me sweetheart. What do you want? Tell me.”

“All that you are doing…that, and I don’t know…and
more. Oh, Raj!”

Raj took off her negligee and flipped her on the bed.
He covered her body with his own, kissing her neck, nuzzling her collarbone,
constantly whispering how beautiful his Naina was, how sweet, how special. His
hand stroked her waist, caressed her stomach, and moved down to her thighs,
even as his lips ventured down to kiss her breasts over her lacy bra. Her scent
drugged him.

Raj’s head jerked up to find her staring out of the
window, her lips clamped against each other, cheeks wet. He immediately turned
over on his side and pulled her into his arms. Shivering, she clung to him as
he pressed kisses on her head and rubbed her back. “Tell me. Talk to me
sweetheart.”

“It’s not you.” She sobbed. “I swear it’s not you.”

“I know darling. I know.”

“I was so afraid of this happening. I knew something
had gone permanently wrong with me. Everything was fine and then suddenly I
felt suffocated…as if something in me couldn’t separate what happened then and
what’s happening now.”

Raj gave her a light shake, “Don’t try to insult
this beautiful body. I won’t allow it. It’s my most favorite part in the whole
world.” She looked at him and gave him a weak grin. She lifted a hand to run
down his face, “Sorry Raj.”

“Don’t. Ever. Say. Sorry. For. This. Understood?”

She nodded.

He rocked her against him and said reflectively, “Naina,
it’s not your body. Trust me. Our chemistry is sizzling. Your body wants me all
right. It’s on fire when I touch you. It’s the same with me. All the responses
are natural. Your body responded to me just fine till….” He stopped as
understanding dawned. He stared at her, “You were fine till I put you on your
back on the bed and got on top of you.”

“Meaning?”

He shifted her and pulled her to lie on him. She
pushed her face into the crook of his neck. He tightened his hold, “The moment
I came on top of you, your brain reconnected with the past and went into a
defensive mode. And you did what you always wished you could have done all
those years ago if you were not drugged…You pushed me.”

“But Raj, I knew it was you. Then why?” She mumbled
against his neck.

“Like I said, your defense mechanism went automatically
into attacking mode. At that moment, you didn’t see me. You didn’t know me.”

Naina swallowed and whispered, “I really am broken.
Aren’t I?”

He gently pulled her back up and looked at her
lovingly, “No, you are not. This is the first time you have let a man this
close to you after your traumatic experience. That recollection just caused a
reflex action. That’s all.” He bent forward to give her a hard kiss, “Naina, I
think I know how to get around this.”

She turned away her face, dejected.

He cupped face and turned it back to him, “Be with
me my love. Let’s give this a try. Worst that can happen is you will push me
again. Then we can think of something else. Okay?”

After a beat, she whispered, “Okay.”

“Right. This time, you stay on top of me and keep
your eyes on me…all the time.” He shifted up to a sitting position. With a
single tug, he pulled her into a hot kiss. Then, without warning he aligned their
bodies and pushed his hardness into her groin. She gasped at the unexpected
contact and felt a thrill pass through her, at the same time igniting an
unfamiliar ache that only eased when she pressed down her hips. Raj let go and
let her take over as, without her realizing, her hips rocked on him and rubbed
against him on their own in an age-old action of mating.

And then, suddenly, everything took a turn for the
opposite. Now she was the one kissing him, licking him, sucking his chin, his
nipples…and back to his lips, biting him, feasting on him. All her frustrated
love finally found an outlet.

Raj’s heart soared. His frightened Naina had become
a warrior again. She had conquered the last fear that was.

He buried his face into her neck, “Love me Naina. Touch
me. Yes, like that. Make love to me.”

*************************************************

“You okay, sweetheart?”

“Mmm! I am in heaven. Don’t disturb me.”

He chuckled and dropped a kiss on her head.

“Raj?”

“Hmm!”

“What just happened?” Sated and feeling thoroughly
loved, Naina lay in the cradle of her husband’s arms, running her fingers all
over him, feeling an insane urge to touch him all the time.

“Love happened. It made you take that final leap of
faith and trust your instincts…it made you listen to your heart first. Rest was
easy.” He tilted her face and kissed her softly, “Today, you liberated yourself.
Nothing shackles you now, my warrior queen.”

“Not to the past. No. However, I am very much bound
to you. You are mine now.”

“As you are mine. By the way…” He turned on his side
and flicked her nose, “…I rather liked this bossy side of yours. It’s sexy.”

“I am not bossy.”

“Really?”

“You don’t know what “bossy” is.”

“You think?”

“I’ll show you.”

“Naina.”

“Raj.”

Her dimples flashed, her eyes twinkled, and a low
growl escaped her throat as she pushed Raj on his back, with him laughing loud."God save me! I have created a monster."

It was a long time before the fog of their lovemaking
cleared.

He held her.

She held him.

They were well on the way of the happiness that they
deserved.

Because they believed.

If one just had faith, fairy tales do come true. In
her story, Naina’s prince did come to her to take her to his castle for their
happily ever after. She knew that she had found the man who not only saved her
from her worst but also loved her at her worst. Now that she had him, she was
going to spend the rest of her life loving him and their family.

26 comments:

Wow take a bow Pal....you've outdid urself with this finale chapter....thumbs up

I'm very proud to know and thankuu deeply for sharing such a beautiful story with us, this is one of ur best ones ever...i'm very proud of you *HUGS*

What can i say this chapter had everything, I just love Raj and Naina...those two will remain with me always like AarYa.....Naina and Raj finally found their way home to each other and they couldn't be any happier they do say that there's no place like HOME and such is the case here.

Can't wait for the epilogue...u and the family have a great blessed weekend and take care....Love you.....muuaaahhh...!! XOXO

Thanks Zet. Couldn't have done this without you and all the friends who constantly came back to read the updates, hence keeping up my morale. You have always been my strongest support system...so utterly, lovingly, unapologetically biased. Love you so much. **Tight Hug**

Home is where the heart is, otherwise it's just four walls. Right? Well, Naina finally had her home and everyone she loves under one roof.

Anytime love....there's just this thing that one can't shake when we start reading you stories, they just keep us wanting more ;)....Aww thankuu for your kind words <3

Exactly and Naina's heart started to beat the day Raj walked into her life that night....she has her loved close to forever and she couldn't be happier to be HOME :):)

Will do, thanks as long as you do the same....as for my babies well I had to leave them as I moved back to the island ;-( but I guess they are A-Okay cause I left them in some capable hands....Hope all is well with you and the family, God bless u always XOXO

indu..... it was just awsome.... loved every every line in htis. ahhhh the warrior princess won ..... my prince is just awsome.... patient to the 'T'. thanks for the sooper dooper update. hope you have weaved a new story already.. dont leave us dry. waiting for the epi and a new story too. janaki

Aww Janaki! You are such a sweetheart. Give me some time...please. I am juggling with a few ideas. I need to zero down to the one I really want to write about. Love you for wanting to me to get back soon. **Hugs**

Awesome ending with a beautiful beginning. Loved their bonding with Beeji. Raj always surpassed all heights of loving Naina. Both are lucky to have found each other.....thanks for a wonderful update but sad that it is ending.-Scorpiodreams

Thanks pal. I feel a bot sad to now that the last chapter is over. But then, this was it. Nainagot through the final barrier with the help of Raj. For a rape victim, that's the ultimate fear: whether she would be able to lead a normal sexual life with her partner.

Hi I loved this chapter so much a beautiful beginning for Raj and NianaIn their new journey of life. Thank you so much for giving us this awesome story hugs eagerly looking forward to the epilogue.Sharlene (sb1410)

Indu you truly oudid you self with this ending. Amazing job as ever. Loved every bit of it. Especially loved Raj's understanding and his attempts to make Naina comfortable finally resulting on her getting over the past. You've portrayed thier relationship so beautiful throughout this journey. I'm gonna miss reading these updates.

Commencing, slowly at first, you swung into a rhythmic cadence of 100 revs per minute, maintaining the pace by shifting gears as the country hills rolled beneath your wheels, through every facet of Raj and Naina’s life, from a dark unfathomable abyss to eternal bliss! You spun this tale so vividly, completely enchanting and deliciously twisting, captivating me beyond my wildest imagination, leaving an impression on my psyche. Desperately awaiting the next installment!

It was a busy Sunday and Saturday and I did not want to read it in a hurry or with breaks and I am glad I waited to read it when I had lots of time. Wonderful update. Loved the way Raj showed his care and love in every step of the way. Loved the way he held her in between the pheras, knowing that she needs him. He is so attuned to her that her every feelings is felt by him. Naina's resolve to raise up to the challenge just for Raj is so heart warming. She is ready to fight anything for him even if it is her own fears.Bharathi

Hi Bharathi....Thanks my dear. I have always looked forward to your comments after putting up a chapter...and treasure all 29 of those morale boosting, loving, supportive reviews. Thanks for making me feel so good. Love you.

Nina feared her physical encounter with Raj, but his patience and understanding became her biggest incentive to rise above her fears and finally put behind her the darkness of her rape.

Well done Indu! I know how uncomfortable you are writing the intimate scenes (right there with you bud) and you handled it beautifully. A very important scene and very tastefully done.Epilogue to come - yes? I want to see the complete family one more time.

Hi Kat! Thanks bud. Any word of compliment coming from you is huge for me. I remember we once had a thought exchange regarding writing about intimacy. Here, I needed to to be a little explicit regarding Naina's conquer of her fear while she is making love with her husband.

Indu............a warm hug to you.....absolutely fantastic update.Am completely bowled with the way you handled Naina and Raj moments....a very difficult scene to write and you outdid yourself. It was so touching that both wanted to help the other to overcome their respective past.

Epilogue....waiting but sad that a beautiful story is meeting its end.

Thanks pal. I am so relieved that the Raj/Naina intimate moments have been received well. I know I could have done better, but I still suffer from a flaw that a writer should never have, which is tnot to restrain the pen flow. You get what I mean?

For Naina to enjoy a happy sexual relationship with her husband, it was imperative that she let go of the rape demons herself and find a way around. Raj showed her the way, which was to take the initiative and be on top (as opposed to the position when she was raped). Naina surmounted her fear and followed Raj's hint...and it worked.

The story have ended but still, I didn't reach on time... SIGH*I thought in this chapter, I won't be included on the "no response club" again, but sad to say i am.. It's been long since i haven't got a reply from u, i just missed it. :(Well, i guess that's the consequence of being late and having been inactive in social media.. Sorry, time won't let me.. I just hope u could at least read my comment, am satisfied with it.. :)

Nwei, i just wanna thank you dear for giving us this another wonderful story..You never fail to amaze us with each part. It's worth the read even in our busiest day.Every time I went here, I knew that there's always a good chapter coming, and I was right.. It made me smile even for awhile..

About this chapter, ohh what shall I say.. You gave the best shot on you Indu dear.. From the festival along with the engagement, the wedding and their intimate moment..Hmm, I just love the ending! A happy ending but a new beginning for the two souls who are meant to live as one..I just love the way Raj made Naina believe, and listen to his idea, in order to defeat the demons that remind her past..That made Naina bring out her intimate side but sexy nature..

Ohh, love the Kundan and Beeji part too.. Had a grin on the part where Naina and Raj almost forgot that they're surrounded by many people.. Thanks to Kundan for reminding them, haha..

It was a great story dear!! Love it...Another achievement along with Sparsh and Samarpan.Hope you will not just stop right here, or after the epilogue..

Hey Barbie...Sorry for the late reply once again pal. Forgive me please. I seem to fail you every time and feel so bad about it. Specially since you take som much pains to sit and write such wonderful reviews for me.

Once again thank you so much for such a heartwarming response to this final chapter. I am glad you understood why and in what manner Naina's demons were finally put to rest. Naina had to get past that ultimate fear of physical relationship that her rapes had instilled in her in order for them to have a happy conjugal life.

I have just posted the epilogue. At the moment nothing plays in my mind. But I'll surely come back with another story in this genre as soon as I can...cause I cannot stay away from writing for long. Plus, and most importantly, I would miss you all too much.

Indu it's an amazing update...I really enjoyed reading it.. You have written it so nicely.sorry for the late comment. I got busy in life...Thank you so much for the PM...Will read the epi later and comment.Kate

Di wowWith samarpan m wos I'm loving towns where still love warmth n respect resides unlike metro cityNaina sow healthy seeds which now flourishing Beeji a.lady to bow down completely overwhelmed Raj a man of dreams who actually makes still us beleif in love n understanding man alive Di the intimate part as far I know was not easy for you but this time you super exceed it Coz it was not about passion but liberation, glory if already united soulsIt was bliss how broken physical or emotional they find nirvana from all their sorrow to promising future filled with joy n happiness to the eternity Thanks ifor penning down another feather in your capRegards riya